Olympic Trials: Men's 200m

Wallace Spearmon, Maurice Mitchell, and Isiah Young Finish Top 3, Advance to London

Wallace Spearmon took control of the race off the turn, and hit his NOS button to blow everyone out of the water. Spearmon's 19.82 (wind 2.3m/s = not legal) was really, really fast, and Mitchell/Young came through at 20.14 and 20.16. Olympians Doc Patton and Shawn Crawford were not able to put their race together.

Will Spearmon be able to take down the Jamaican powerhouse of Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt?

Results (usatf.org)

1 Wallace Spearmon Jr Saucony 19.82

2 Maurice Mitchell Nike 20.14

3 Isiah Young Ole Miss 20.16

4 Calesio Newman Unattached 20.17
5 Darvis Patton Nike 20.24
6 Jeremy Dodson Nike 20.25
7 Shawn Crawford Nike 20.37
8 Marcus Rowland Auburn 20.50 +2.3 0.150

Olympic Trials: Men's 1500m

Leo Manzano, Matt Centrowitz, ANDREW WHEATING Make Team to London!

WOW. What an incredible race. Robby Andrews keeps himself out of the 800 to focus on the 1500, Andrew Wheating has been running pretty poorly as of late. Manzano blitzes Centro. And ANDY BAYER finishes 4th? For a dude who barely made it out of the first round, that's pretty incredible.

Wheating hit the A standard a long, long time ago, but has been trying to pull himself back into shape, and like Andrews, didn't run the 800m. He looked pretty smooth in the final 100m of the semi-final, so I felt like he had a chance in the final. But with a very competitive field, it was anybody's race. Will Leer, who rocked a pretty gnarly mustache, pushed the pace early with Jordan McNamara, both of whom were looking for the A time of 3:35.50. But the pace slowed, and worked to the kickers' advantage.

Of course Centrowitz hails from Arnold, MD, and his dad is none other than American University's Matt Centrowitz, Sr. The younger Centro finished 3rd at the World Championships last summer in Daegu and has really proved he can hang tough with the big boys.

Results (usatf.org)

1 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:35.75

2 Matthew Centrowitz Nike 3:35.84

3 Andrew Wheating Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:36.68

4 Andrew Bayer Indiana University 3:37.24
5 Robby Andrews adidas 3:37.45
6 David Torrence Nike 3:37.70
7 Jordan McNamara Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:37.79
8 Craig Miller New Balance 3:37.81
9 Jeff See Saucony 3:38.81
10 Miles Batty Asics 3:43.58
11 John Mickowski Unattached 3:44.17
12 William Leer Nike 3:46.75

Olympic Trials: Women's 1500m

Morgan Uceny, Shannon Rowbury, Jenny Simpson Head to London

Well, that wound up being somewhat uneventful. Brenda Martinez sat on the front for 2 laps, clearly in an attempt to keep the pace high in the event she could finish top 3 (she lacked the A standard) but with a lap to go it was Uceny and Simpson pushing the pace, with Rowbury sitting right behind. And then they just blew the rest of the field away.

Gabriele Anderson, the Team USA Minnesota runner who had been disqualified following the semi-final and later reinstated, finished a respectable 4th, just ahead of Anna Pierce. Maybe she should go back to steeplechase. Alice Schmidt, who was allowed into the final after the initial disqualification of Anderson, and who is already on the team in the 800m, finished in the middle of the pack.

Results (usatf.org)

1 Morgan Uceny adidas 4:04.59

2 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:05.11

3 Jenny Simpson New Balance 4:05.17

4 Gabriele Anderson Brooks / Team USA Minnesota 4:07.38
5 Anna Pierce Nike 4:07.78
6 Sarah Bowman New Balance 4:08.25
7 Margaret Infeld N Y A C 4:08.31
8 Alice Schmidt Nike 4:09.64
9 Katherine Mackey Brooks 4:11.46
10 Nicole Schappert N Y A C 4:13.51
11 Treniere Moser Nike 4:15.84
12 Brenda Martinez New Balance 4:17.41
13 Sara Vaughn Nike 4:30.89

Olympic Trials: Day 9 Recap

There were only a handful of finals contested on Saturday, and most events paled in comparison to the women's 200m.

Men's Triple Jump

On his first jump, Will Claye jumped a lifetime best of 57'7" to take the early lead, but immediately after it was 2011 World Outdoor Champ pushing it out to 57'10.25". Claye took 2 more jumps before passing on his final three attempts, while Taylor took just one more (foul) and then became a spectator as nobody else even came close. As the pair of Florida Gators are the only two with the A standard, they are the only two representing the US - but are a definite threat to go 1-2 in London.

1. Christian Taylor 57'10.25"
2. Will Claye 57'7"

Men's 110m Hurdles

One of the fastest men of all time - David Oliver - will be watching the Olympics from home this year, as he failed on Saturday to qualify for the Olympics team. Oliver finished 5th behind winner Aries Merritt, who ran a lifetime best 12.93 (wind +1.2m/s). Jason Richardson finished 2nd and Jeff Porter, whose wife Tiffany Porter has made the team for the UK, took 3rd.

1 Aries Merritt Reebok 12.93

2 Jason Richardson Nike 12.98

3 Jeffrey Porter Unattached 13.08

4 Antwon Hicks Unattached 13.14
5 David Oliver Nike 13.17
6 Dexter Faulk Nike 13.23
7 Ryan Wilson Saucony 13.24
DNF Tyron Akins Unattached 0.179

Women's High Jump

2012 Indoor World Champ Chaunte Lowe took the win in a meet record 6'7" and Arizona Wildcat Brigetta Barrett jumping a 2" personal best to finish 2nd and get a piece of the meet record (6'7"), but the real story is 36 year-old Amy Acuff making her 5th Olympic team. 5th. 1-2-3-4-5th. Absolutely unreal. Acuff jumped 6'4.75" and is definitely not a medal threat, but that's pretty darn amazing.

1 Chaunte Lowe Nike 2.01m 6-7 M
2 Brigetta Barrett Arizona 2.01m 6-7
3 Amy Acuff Asics 1.95m 6-4 ¾

Heptathlon

Having not competed in a heptathlon since 2010, Hyleas Fountain had to make sure she achieved the Olympic A standard. She did, easily, but for Chantae McMillan it took a 2 second lifetime best in the final event - the 800m - to ensure she captured the A standard. Fountain ran a 12.86 in the 100m Hurdles, a time that is good enough to see her compete individually (and she has previously) but she is obviously stronger in the multi-event. McMillan is much stronger at the throws, and needed to run about a 2:20 800 (with her PB being 2:19) in the 800m. After an opening lap of just under 69 seconds, she managed to run strong on the second lap and hit the mark, running a 2:17.71. Sharon Day comfortably finished 2nd. 

Men's 200m Semifinal

Honestly, this is without a doubt the weakest our 200m depth has been in a long time. Maybe 2004 when that Greek guy won the Olympics in a time well over 20 seconds were we less-equipped, but this is definitely not a strong year. With Walter Dix out, and Tyson Gay not running the 200m, it's on the shoulders of Wallace Spearmon and the aging Shawn Crawford, or some young guys, to get things done.

Crawford ran one of the nastiest 200m races I've ever seen - 20.30 indoors at ACC Championships one year. He then went onto running on a dirt track in Africa against a giraffe and a zebra in Fox's "Man vs Beast."

There was a little bit of headwind and the track was wet, but the fastest qualifying time was 20.43 by Maurice Mitchell. I don't see tomorrow's final being particularly impressive.

Olympic Trials: Women's 200m

Allyson Felix Crushes, Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards-Ross Qualify in 2nd Event

The US is so deep at the 200m for women, the final could very well have been the final at the Olympic games. Tianna Madison, Jeneba Tarmoh, Bianca Knight, and Kimberlyn Duncan could all have made the team for almost any other country, but will not be competing in London because of the devastatingly fast legs of Allyson Felix, Carmelita Jeter, and Sanya Richards-Ross.

In wet conditions, Allyson Felix blew the doors off of everyone, blazing the first 50m and increasing her lead on the straightaway. Her time of 21.69 seconds was a personal best and Trials record (wind +1.0m/s = legal), and she won the race by .42 ahead of Carmelita Jeter. Jeter was the winner in the 100m a week ago, and Richards-Ross of course won the 400m. Ross became the first American woman to pull off the 400/200 double.

Felix broke the Trials record of 21.77 set by the great Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988, and became the 4th fastest woman at the distance in history.

Winning the award for Most Awkward Commentating were the staff of NBC, as both Lewis and Dwight cornered Felix and Tarmoh immediately following their race to ask about their decision regarding the 100m tiebreaker. Both women graciously deflected the question, saying that they had not discussed it yet but would likely do that tonight or tomorrow. As of right now there has been no decision made, but the duo's coach, Bobby Kersee, has said that they will not run earlier than Tuesday if it is a run-off scenario.

Personal opinion: Felix doesn't stand a chance in the 100m, at least not for gold, and likely not for a medal at all. The field is too deep. Focus on the 200m, and save yourself the couple of races. Run the 4x100m. Give the spot to Tarmoh.

Women's 200m results (usatf.org)

1 Allyson Felix Nike 21.69 M

2 Carmelita Jeter Nike 22.11

3 Sanya Richards-Ross Nike 22.22

4 Kimberlyn Duncan L S U 22.34
5 Jeneba Tarmoh Nike 22.35
6 Tianna Madison Saucony 22.50
7 Bianca Knight adidas 22.60
8 Aurieyall Scott U C F 22.68

Olympic Trials: Women's 200m Semifinals

Normally I wouldn't make a big deal out of a semi-final, but did you see this?

2 Allyson Felix Nike 22.30 Q +0.8 [22.297] 0.234
3 Jeneba Tarmoh Nike 22.30 Q +3.4 [22.298] 0.169

Alright so they didn't run in the same heat, but how weird is it that Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh - who literally are still tied in the 100m from the other day - ran the SAME DAMN TIME. Once again they were calculated down to the thousandth of a second, and this time it was Felix given the nod by 1/1000. Of course, Tarmoh had a monster tailwind, while Felix's was at least legal, but look at the reaction times. Felix is going to have to get a better start if she's going to beat her training partner, Tarmoh, in the final!

And meanwhile Sanya Richards-Ross crushes her heat in 22.15. Pretty interesting for someone so focused on the 400m to have the fastest time in the world this year for 200m. Carmelita Jeter finished 2nd to Felix in their heat and was the slowest of the qualifiers. Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU advances, as did Bianca Knight and Tianna Madison, who made the 100m team.

 Charonda Williams, Lauryn Williams, LaShaunte'a Moore, and Under Armour's Natasha Hastings were non-qualifiers.

200m semifinals results (usatf.org)

1 Sanya Richards-Ross Nike 22.15 Q
2 Allyson Felix Nike 22.30 Q
3 Jeneba Tarmoh Nike 22.30 Q
4 Tianna Madison Saucony 22.33 Q
5 Bianca Knight adidas 22.34 q
6 Kimberlyn Duncan L S U 22.37 Q
7 Aurieyall Scott U C F 22.56 q
 8 Carmelita Jeter Nike 22.64 Q

Olympic Trials: 1500m Semifinals

While many of us were scratching our heads wondering why they would make a field of just 30 run three heats of the 1500m, it was supposed to mirror the Olympics schedule. Regardless, top 5 moved on in each heat and next two fastest times to Sunday's final.

Women's Heat #1

This was definitely the stacked heat, with 2011 World Champ Jenny Simpson and 2011's fastest runner, Morgan Uceny, toeing the line. Anna Pierce was in the mix, as was Brenda Martinez and NCAA Champ Katie Flood. Simpson didn't look great in the prelim, but looked very strong today and she and Uceny cruised. Uceny controlled the race from the gun and appeared to not have expended too much energy in the win. The first heat was a little quicker than the second, so Treniere Mosier and Brenda Martinez became the only two time qualifiers into the final.

Heat #1 results (usatf.org)

1 Morgan Uceny adidas 4:08.90 Q
2 Jenny Simpson New Balance 4:09.12 Q
3 Margaret Infeld N Y A C 4:09.38 Q
4 Anna Pierce Nike 4:09.51 Q
5 Nicole Schappert N Y A C 4:09.60 Q
6 Treniere Moser Nike 4:10.10 q
7 Brenda Martinez New Balance 4:10.73 q
8 Katie Flood Washington 4:11.38
9 Renee Tomlin Nike 4:11.39
10 Ashley Miller Nebraska 4:11.49
11 Greta Feldman Princeton 4:12.29
12 Karly Hamric RIADHA 4:12.52

Women's Heat #2

On paper it looked like it could be a race, with maybe less of a clear favorite (outside of Shannon Rowbury). Rowbury did notch the victory ahead of Gabriele Anderson, but there were a few notables who fell off the pace and will not be advancing to the finals: Alice Schmidt, who made the team in the 800, Phoebe Wright, who just missed the team in the 800, and crowd favorite, Jordan Hasay.

UPDATED: According to LetsRun.com, Gabriele Anderson has been disqualified as a result of some contact in the final lap. Consequently, Alice Schmidt is bumped to the 5th (and final) automatic qualifying spot and will start the final on Sunday. Anderson is expected to protest the disqualification.

1 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:09.96 Q
2 Katherine Mackey Brooks 4:10.54 Q
3 Sara Vaughn Nike 4:10.57 Q
4 Sarah Bowman New Balance 4:10.65 Q
5 Alice Schmidt Nike 4:10.94 Q
6 Amy Mortimer Saucony 4:12.04
7 Kate Grace Oiselle / New Jersey New York 4:12.92
8 Phoebe Wright Nike 4:13.65
9 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 4:14.03
10 Jordan Hasay Oregon 4:15.52
11 Melissa Salerno New Balance 4:16.33
DQ Gabriele Anderson Brooks / Team USA Minnesota

Men's Heat #1

3 guys in this heat had the A standard (3:35.50) - David Torrence, Russell Brown, and Andrew Wheating. Wheating has been inconsistent lately and did not run the 800m because he wasn't as confident in his speed for the shorter event. The pace was controlled (see: slow) until the bell, and somehow on the back stretch Wheating was towards the back of the pack. He managed to find some space and smoothly ran past most of the field, pumping his fist when he realized he would move onto the finals. Of course the big casualty was Russell Brown, who just looked out of it from the start and finished DFL.

Heat #1 results (usatf.org)

1 William Leer Nike 3:51.27 Q
2 Andrew Wheating Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:51.40 Q
3 David Torrence Nike 3:51.43 Q
4 Craig Miller New Balance 3:51.56 Q
5 John Mickowski Unattached 3:51.71 Q
6 Brian Gagnon New Jersey New York Track Club 3:51.86
7 Dorian Ulrey Nike 3:52.15
8 Liam Boylan-Pett New Jersey New York Track Club 3:52.18
9 Jack Bolas New Balance 3:52.47
10 Matthew Maldonado Long Beach State 3:52.95
11 John Jefferson Brooks 3:54.52
12 Russell Brown Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:58.85

Men's Heat #2

Heat #2 featured the 2011 World Bronze Medalist, Matt Centrowitz; Olympian Leo Manzano; and new threat Robby Andrews. Add to them three of the finalists at NCAA Championships, including the winner, Andy Bayer (who had a terrible run in the first round), and it was a tough heat. With a sub 60 second opening lap the pack was again not interested in gunning for the A standard. Just like he did in the NCAA meet, German Fernandez sat on the front for 2 laps before the rest of the field took up the pace. Meanwhile, Andrews was sitting on the back in last before trying to start to move up with 400m to go. Centrowitz looked pretty smooth as he ran in lane 2, and moved up to the lead with 300m to go. Manzano was running tiny stride for stride and the two began to accelerated with 200 left. Andrews pushed his way through to make sure he finished in the top 5, but it was Centrowitz and Manzano who finished 1-2 at 3:41.90 - 10 seconds faster than the first heat.

Heat #2 Results

1 Matthew Centrowitz Nike 3:41.90 Q
2 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:41.90 Q
3 Robby Andrews adidas 3:42.14 Q
4 Jeff See Saucony 3:42.16 Q
5 Miles Batty Asics 3:42.33 Q
6 Andrew Bayer Indiana University 3:42.56 q
7 Jordan McNamara Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:42.77 q
8 Daniel Clark Unattached 3:42.85
9 Garrett Heath Saucony 3:42.95
10 AJ Acosta Oregon 3:43.73
11 German Fernandez Unattached 3:43.78
12 Stephen Pifer Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:44.59

Olympic Trials: Women's Steeplechase

Emma Coburn Cruises, Bridget Franek and Shalaya Kipp Head to London

Emma Coburn of Colorado has run so much faster in this event than anyone else in the field that it was going to take a Herculean effort to upset her. Bridget Franke, Delilah DiCrescenzo (yes, that Delilah), Sara Hall (yes, of THAT Hall family), and Ashley Higginson (what's up New Jersey!) all looked to vie for one of the top spots.

The NBC coverage cut away for a few minutes but when they came back it was what we expected: Coburn with a healthy lead. She just looked effortless and looked strong over the water pit. Bridget Franek and Shalaya Kipp were 2-3, but Ashley Higginson went by Sara Hall to move into 4th and was surging to catch the other two.

Coburn basically jogged a 9:32.74 and it was Franek and Kipp for the other two spots. Ashley Higginson ran an amazing race as she finished 4th and at this point should be a contender for future championship teams. She ran a 9:38, which is 5 seconds under the A standard, so props to Ashley Higginson and the NJ/NY Track Club.

Delilah DiCrescenzo finished 7th and Sara Hall fell back to 8th. Coburn and Franek qualifying means University of Colorado is represented by two athletes in the steeplechase. Also, this event is clearly the most attractive field of all women's events.

Results (usatf.org)

1 Emma Coburn Colorado 9:32.78

2 Bridget Franek Nike / Oregon TC Elite 9:35.62

3 Shalaya Kipp Colorado 9:35.73

4 Ashley Higginson Saucony 9:38.06
5 Lisa Aguilera Nike 9:41.95
6 Carrie Dimoff Bowerman Athletic Club 9:45.01
7 Delilah DiCrescenzo Puma / NJNYTC 9:46.30
8 Sara Hall Asics 9:47.63
9 Stephanie Garcia New Balance 9:50.74
10 Sarah Pease Unattached 9:53.62
11 Mason Cathey Saucony 9:54.07
12 Jamie Cheever Oiselle / Team USA Minnesota 9:56.51
13 Rebeka Stowe Kansas 10:02.82
14 Rebecca Wade Rice University 10:10.50

Olympics Trials: Men's 5000m

GALEN RUPP OUTKICKS BERNARD LAGAT TO WIN MEN'S 5000M

Rupp defeats Lagat for the first time in his career, Lopez Lomong finishes third

All three head to London. Lagat was in full sprint mode and Rupp made his move on the inside with 50m to go and set an Olympics Trial Record, breaking Steve Prefontaine's record from 1972 by nanoseconds. Pre's meet record was 13:22.80 and Rupp ran 13:22.67.

A slow first quarter led to Mo Trafeh picking it up and stringing the race out. Only 4 men had the A standard, but they were the final four heading into 200 meters to go. The kick was insane, Lagat has never been beaten by Rupp, and was clearly going all out, but Rupp moved on the inside with 50m to go and covered the last lap in just over 52 seconds (WOW). That's a 10k/5k double win for Rupp, who continues to grow on me.

1 Galen Rupp Nike 13:22.67 M

2 Bernard Lagat Nike 13:22.82

3 Lopez Lomong Nike 13:24.47

4 Andrew Bumbalough Nike 13:26.67
5 Ryan Hill North Carolina State 13:27.49
6 Benjamin True Saucony 13:28.02
7 Elliott Heath Stanford 13:28.20
8 Hassan Mead Minnesota 13:30.21
9 Scott Bauhs Unattached 13:31.69
10 Mohamed Trafeh Nike 13:36.19
11 Trevor Dunbar Oregon 13:40.66
12 Robert Cheseret Unattached 13:50.39
13 Brent Vaughn Nike 13:51.49
14 Ian Dobson Nike / Oregon TC Elite 13:51.77
15 George Alex Oklahoma 13:57.15
16 Brandon Bethke Unattached 14:03.37

Olympic Trials: Women's 5000m

Julie Culley wins, Molly Huddle and Kim Conley go to London!

The pack was pretty tight until 3 laps to when Julia Lucas separated herself from the group of 7 behind her. Lauren Fleshman battled but was off the back. 7 women in the field had the A standard. Julia Lucas, who ran for North Carolina State, looked super strong. American Record holder Molly Huddle and local fave Julie Culley were 2nd and 3rd, bridging up to Lucas with a lap to go and pulling away from the rest of the field, which was led by Abbey D'Agostino (NCAA Champ from Dartmouth). With 200m to go Huddle and Culley passed Lucas and D'Agostino was closing on Lucas. Into the final stretch and Huddle moves into lane 2 allowing Julie Culley to take the win! Kim Conley meanwhile overcame both D'Agostino and Julia Lucas AT THE LINE to take the 3rd spot as she, D'Agostino and Lucas finished within inches of one another. Kim Conley met the standard by .21 - she needed to go under 15:20 and ran 15:19.79. She didn't have the A coming into the race so she needed to hit that AND finish top 3. Incredible! Diane's nemesis Liz Maloy finished 7th, while Lisa Uhl, who qualified in the 10,000m, finished 6th. The gap between 3rd and 4th was smaller than the gap between Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay in the men's 100m. Emily Infeld of Georgetown finished 8th.

We are so happy for Julie Culley, who reps for New Jersey and was formerly the assistant coach of Loyola Track and Field. She is also a former roommate of Melissa Tanner. Great job Julie, go rep for the US at London!!

Results (usatf.org)

1 Julie Culley Asics/N Y A C 15:13.77

2 Molly Huddle Saucony 15:14.40

3 Kim Conley New Balance/SRA Elite 15:19.79

4 Julia Lucas Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:19.83
5 Abbey D'Agostino Unattached 15:19.98
6 Lisa Uhl Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:24.17
7 Elizabeth Maloy New Balance 15:24.85
8 Emily Infeld Georgetown 15:28.60
9 Alisha Williams Boulder Running Company/adidas 15:32.98
10 Tara Erdmann Unattached 15:33.96
11 Magdalena Lewy Boulet Saucony 15:34.31
12 Emily Sisson Unattached 15:34.68
13 Deborah Maier Unattached 15:37.56
14 Kellyn Johnson adidas/McMillan Elite 15:39.60
15 Kathy Kroeger Stanford 15:40.55
16 Lauren Fleshman Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:54.14

Olympic Trials: Men's Steeplechase

Evan Jager, Donn Cabral, Kyle Alcorn Heading to London!

The pace was quick early, evidenced by the strung out field. With 2 laps to go, Dan Huling and Evan Jager had a small gap on the field, which included Donn Cabral in 4th. The top 4 were clearly racing at this point and Jager gapped the others with 300m to go. Cabral moved into second while Huling faded into 4th. Jager blew everyone away, smiling in the final meters, with a 3 second personal best as Cabral finished 2nd, and Kyle Alcorn took the final spot to London.Huling faded to 7th. This was just Jager's 4th steeplechase race ever.

Unfortunately for America, they'll need to run about 15 seconds faster to even be competitive in London. The good news: the fastest steepler in the world, Paul Koech, finished 7th in the Kenyan Trials and will likely not compete at the Olympics. He is one of a few Kenyans who competes poorly at altitude, which of course is where their trials are held.

"My legs were toast" - Kyle Alcorn

Results (usatf.org)

1 Evan Jager Nike / Oregon TC Elite 8:17.40

2 Donald Cabral Princeton 8:19.81

3 Kyle Alcorn Nike 8:22.17

4 Donald Cowart Ragged Mountain Racing 8:27.49
5 Benjamin Bruce adidas/McMillan Elite 8:29.61
6 Max King Central Oregon Running Klub 8:30.54
7 Daniel Huling Reebok 8:30.76
8 William Nelson New Balance 8:32.21
9 Cory Leslie Ohio State 8:33.94
10 Augustus Maiyo Unattached 8:35.61
11 Brian Olinger Reebok 8:37.93
12 Joshua McAdams New Balance 8:41.10
13 Craig Forys Michigan 8:46.81
14 David Adams Team Nebraska 8:48.83

Olympic Trials: High Jump

MEN'S (12 advance to final)

1 Christian Taylor Li-Ning 17.27m 56-8 +1.5 q
2 William Claye Nike 16.80m 55-1 ½ +1.7 q
3 Aarik Wilson Unattached 16.66m 54-8 +1.5 q
4 Walter Davis Unattached 16.57m 54-4 ½ +1.1 q
5 Brandon Roulhac Shore A C 16.54m 54-3 ¼ +2.0 q
6 Chris Benard Arizona State 16.46m 54-0 +1.3 q
7 Nkosinza Balumbu Mizuno / Mission Valley Track 16.45m 53-11 ¾ +1.7 q
8 Omar Craddock Florida 16.45m 53-11 ¾ +0.8 q
9 Troy Doris Iowa 16.42m 53-10 ½ +0.9 q
10 Rafeeq Curry Shore A C 16.41m 53-10 ¼ +0.5 q
11 Ryan Grinnell Unattached 16.27m 53-4 ½ +1.6 q
12 Zedric Thomas Unattached 16.23m 53-3 +1.1 q

Olympic Trials: Men's 1500m Prelims

NCAA Champ Andy Bayer of Indiana finishes 7th in almost dead-heat with Jack Bolas, manages to snag one of the 6 time-qualifiers. David Torrence, Matt Centrowitz through to next round. Daniel Clark had the fastest last lap (55.65) to finish 5th.

Heat #1 results (usatf.org)

1 Craig Miller New Balance 3:41.89 Q
2 David Torrence Nike 3:41.99 Q
3 Matthew Centrowitz Nike 3:42.02 Q
4 Jeff See Saucony 3:42.03 Q
5 Daniel Clark Unattached 3:42.05 Q
6 Jack Bolas New Balance 3:42.14 Q [3:42.131]
7 Andrew Bayer Indiana University 3:42.14 q [3:42.134]
8 Riley Masters Oklahoma 3:42.71
9 Duncan Phillips Arkansas 3:42.75
10 Erik Van Ingen S U N Y Binghamton 3:43.52

Heat #2 was fast, Andy Bayer's time may not stand up through another heat. Robby Andrews, who did not enter the 800m to focus on the 1500m, finishes 4th with the fastest closing lap. NCAA runner-up Miles Batty and NCAA finalist German Fernandez through.

Heat #2 results

1 William Leer Nike 3:40.79 Q
2 AJ Acosta Oregon 3:40.98 Q
3 Garrett Heath Saucony 3:41.02 Q
4 Robby Andrews adidas 3:41.11 Q
5 Miles Batty B Y U 3:41.21 Q
6 German Fernandez Unattached 3:41.33 Q
7 Brian Gagnon New Jersey New York Track Club 3:41.38 q
8 Stephen Pifer Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:41.47 q
9 John Jefferson Brooks 3:41.64 q
10 Kyle Miller Nike 3:48.81

In the final heat no surprises, although sentimental fave Kyle Merber of Columbia finishes last in the heat. Jordan McNamara runs the fastest last lap of all qualifiers to upend Leo Manzano in the final straight.

Heat #3 results

1 Jordan McNamara Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:40.78 Q
2 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:40.91 Q
3 Russell Brown Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:41.13 Q
4 Andrew Wheating Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:41.14 Q
5 Liam Boylan-Pett New Jersey New York Track Club 3:41.17
Q 6 John Mickowski Unattached 3:41.18 Q
7 Matthew Maldonado Long Beach State 3:41.93 q
8 Dorian Ulrey Nike 3:42.55 q
9 Rob Finnerty Wisconsin 3:43.89
10 Kyle Merber Columbia 3:45.87

Olympic Trials: Women's 1500m Prelims

Only two girls don't qualify from Heat #1, Cory McGee of Florida is one of them. Top 6 each heat through plus next 6 fastest times.. Shannon Rowbury closes in 60.4. Kate Grace of Oiselle and the NJ/NY Track Club moved on as well.

Heat #1 results (usatf.org)

1 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:16.17 Q
2 Jenny Simpson New Balance 4:16.70 Q
3 Sarah Bowman New Balance 4:16.86 Q
4 Nicole Schappert N Y A C 4:16.89 Q
5 Sara Vaughn Bowerman Athletic Club 4:17.08 Q
6 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 4:17.29 Q
7 Kate Grace Oiselle / New Jersey New York 4:17.65 q
8 Cory McGee Florida 4:17.76
9 Stephanie Charnigo New Jersey New York Track Club 4:19.09

Morgan Uceny and Maggie Infeld of NYAC qualify for final; NCAA Champ Katie Flood of Washington makes it on time.

Heat #2 results

1 Morgan Uceny adidas 4:14.07 Q
2 Gabriele Anderson Brooks / Team USA Minnesota 4:14.23 Q
3 Katherine Mackey Brooks 4:14.28 Q
4 Margaret Infeld N Y A C 4:14.60 Q
5 Treniere Moser Nike 4:14.79 Q
6 Greta Feldman Princeton 4:14.89 Q
7 Karly Hamric RIADHA 4:15.33 q
8 Ashley Miller Nebraska 4:15.34 q
9 Katie Flood Washington 4:15.45 q
10 Lauren Bonds adidas Raleigh Track Club 4:20.75

"The Runaround" alum Alice Schmidt, already on the Olympic team in the 800m, wins Heat #3. Anna Pierce 2nd, Jordan Hasay of Oregon 4th. After missing out on the 800m team, Phoebe Wright and Brenda Martinez move on in 1500m. Lauren Centrowitz a non-starter.

Heat #3 results

1 Alice Schmidt Nike 4:15.70 Q
2 Anna Pierce Nike 4:15.86 Q
3 Amy Mortimer Saucony 4:16.02 Q
4 Jordan Hasay Oregon 4:16.06 Q
5 Brenda Martinez New Balance 4:16.11 Q
6 Phoebe Wright Nike 4:16.29 Q
7 Renee Tomlin Nike 4:16.36 q
8 Melissa Salerno Unattached 4:16.50 q
9 Heidi Dahl New Balance 4:27.68

Olympic Trials: Steeplechase Semifinals

Women's Steeplechase:

Heat 1: Emma Coburn is just faster than everyone else right now. She cruised to the win in 9:43, 3 seconds ahead of 2nd place, Shaylaa Kipp. Delilah DiCrescenzo of Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" fame was fast enough to move on as well.

Heat 2: Bridget Frank won just ahead of Sara Hall. Ashley Higginson, who runs for Saucony and of course represents NJ/NY Track Club (and Monmouth County!) was 3rd and moves onto the finals.

Qualifiers

1 Emma Coburn Colorado 9:43.19
2 Bridget Franek Nike / Oregon TC Elite 9:44.05
3 Sara Hall Asics 9:44.55
4 Ashley Higginson Saucony 9:45.21
5 Shalaya Kipp Colorado 9:46.17
6 Mason Cathey Saucony 9:47.32
7 Stephanie Garcia New Balance 9:48.17
8 Carrie Dimoff Bowerman Athletic Club 9:49.03
 9 Delilah DiCrescenzo Puma / New Jersey New York T C 9:49.15
10 Rebecca Wade Rice University 9:50.66
11 Lisa Aguilera Nike 9:51.02
12 Jamie Cheever Oiselle / Team USA Minnesota 9:51.42
13 Sarah Pease Unattached 9:52.43
14 Rebeka Stowe Kansas 9:53.67

Men's Steeplechase:

Heat 1: The top 5 were separated by just half a second, as NCAA Champ Donn Cabral of Princeton finished just behind Evan Jager. 3rd went to Craig Forys of Michigan (and also a NJ native).

Heat 2: Ever-so-slightly faster than heat 1, but packed almost as tight as the top 5 finishers were within a second of each other. Dan Huling, who ran with Brian Godsey at Miami (of Ohio), won the heat ahead of Ben Bruce and Kyle Alcorn.

Steve Slattery, a former NJ Meet of Champs winner, was a non-qualifier.

Qualifiers

1 Daniel Huling Reebok 8:29.00
2 Benjamin Bruce adidas/McMillan Elite 8:29.11
 3 Kyle Alcorn Nike 8:29.27
4 Augustus Maiyo Unattached 8:29.29
5 Brian Olinger Reebok 8:30.08
6 Evan Jager Nike / Oregon TC Elite 8:30.60
7 Donald Cabral Princeton 8:30.64
8 Craig Forys Unattached 8:30.85
9 Cory Leslie Ohio State 8:31.08
10 Joshua McAdams New Balance 8:31.15
11 Donald Cowart Ragged Mountain Racing 8:31.51
12 David Adams Team Nebraska 8:32.17
13 Max King Central Oregon Running Klub 8:33.43
14 William Nelson New Balance 8:35.22

Olympic Trials: Men's 800m

Nick Symmonds wins, Duane Solomon and Khadevis Robinson Head to London

Charles Jock took it out in typical fashion, splitting 49.86 through 400m. The fast pace strung the field out and Symmonds had to move out into lane 2 on the back stretch. Symmonds moved up to 2nd behind Duane Solomon with 100m to go and the two had a huge gap, before Symmonds blew the field away in 1:43.92. Khadevis Robinson moved up well in the last bit to make sure he would not miss out on the Olympics again. Solomon finished 3rd and had to run the A standard to ensure he would go to London.

Sadly, Charles Jock finished DFL in 1:49. 49 second first lap, 60 second last lap. Ouch. Sorry man, at least you have an NCAA title.

Results (usatf.org)

1 Nicholas Symmonds Nike / Oregon TC Elite 1:43.92

2 Khadevis Robinson Nike 1:44.64

3 Duane Solomon Jr Saucony 1:44.65

4 Ryan Martin U C S B 1:44.90
5 Tyler Mulder Nike / Oregon TC Elite 1:45.02
6 Elijah Greer Oregon 1:45.40
7 Mark Wieczorek Unattached 1:45.62
8 Charles Jock Nike 1:49.02

Olympic Trials: 5000m Semifinals

Women's 5000m

Heat 1: NCAA champ Abbey D'Agostino takes the heat ahead of former Loyola College Track and Field assistant coach, Julie Culley, who looked super comfortable. Emily Infeld of Georgetown also moves on.

Heat 2: Diane's nemesis Liz Maloy and Molly Huddle roll, Lauren Fleshman passes to the next round, Amy Hastings fails to qualify after making it in the 10,000m. For Fleshman, a great result on very little mileage. After speaking to her life-partner, pro triathlete Jesse Thomas, a few weeks ago, he confirmed that she's been running 10 miles a week and hasn't done many runs over 3 miles.

Jen Rhines was a non-starter.

Qualifiers for final:

1 Abbey D'Agostino Unattached 15:41.14
2 Julie Culley Asics/N Y A C 15:41.28
3 Julia Lucas Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:42.82
4 Emily Infeld Georgetown 15:43.41
5 Deborah Maier Unattached 15:43.54
6 Elizabeth Maloy New Balance 15:46.00
7 Molly Huddle Saucony 15:46.05
8 Kim Conley SRA Elite 15:47.39
9 Lisa Uhl Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:48.16
10 Tara Erdmann Unattached 15:49.98
11 Kathy Kroeger Stanford 15:50.09
12 Alisha Williams Boulder Running Company/adidas 15:51.10
13 Lauren Fleshman Nike / Oregon TC Elite 15:51.53
14 Magdalena Lewy Boulet Saucony 15:51.73
15 Emily Sisson Unattached 15:52.37
16 Kellyn Johnson adidas/McMillan Elite 15:54.42

Men's 5000m:

Heat 1: Andy Bumbalough holds off Galen Rupp to take the heat; Alan Webb finishes last. Webb confirms with Running Times that he needs to "reassess his career."

Heat 2: Bernard Lagat and Lopez Lomong make it look easy.

Chris Derrick, who finished 4th in the 10,000m race on Friday, did not start.

1 Lopez Lomong Nike 13:42.81
2 Bernard Lagat Nike 13:42.83
3 Benjamin True Saucony 13:43.12
4 Ryan Hill North Carolina State 13:43.24
5 Hassan Mead Minnesota 13:44.56
6 Brandon Bethke Unattached 13:45.21
7 George Alex Oklahoma 13:45.55
8 Brent Vaughn Nike 13:45.87
9 Andrew Bumbalough Nike 13:46.80
10 Galen Rupp Nike 13:46.82
11 Trevor Dunbar Oregon 13:49.19
12 Mohamed Trafeh Nike 13:49.34
13 Robert Cheseret Unattached 13:49.42
14 Elliott Heath Stanford 13:49.50
15 Ian Dobson Nike / Oregon TC Elite 13:49.62
16 Scott Bauhs Unattached 13:50.86

Olympic Trials: Women's 800m

Alysia Montano, Geena Gall, and Alice Schmidt Move Onto London

Maggie Vessey finishes last but first in attractiveness.

Montano led wire-to-wire, running 1:59.06. Gall had a great last couple of meters, passing Phoebe Wright and holding off Alice Schmidt. Schmidt, who we recently interviewed on The Runaround, still needed the A standard time, and just got under it by 0.04 seconds.

1 Alysia Montano Nike 1:59.08

2 Geena Gall Nike / Oregon TC Elite 1:59.24

3 Alice Schmidt Nike 1:59.46

4 Molly Beckwith Saucony 1:59.68
5 Phoebe Wright Nike 1:59.72
6 Brenda Martinez New Balance 2:01.67
7 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 2:02.86
8 Maggie Vessey New Balance 2:03.44

Allyson Felix vs Jeneba Tarmoh: RUN OFF

The ruling has been made!

In order to decide who will take the 3rd spot for the Olympic women's 100m team, Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh have two options:

1. Run-off
2. Coin-toss

If both athletes DISAGREE, then the default option is a run-off. If neither chooses an option, coin-toss. If they tie again in the run-off, it goes back to coin-toss. OR, someone will just have to concede.

Either way, the team has to be finalized by the end of Trials, so SOMETHING is going to happen!

Olympic Trials: Day 3

Women's 400m: No Surprise There

Sanya Richards-Ross equaled the Trials record by running the incredibly quick time of 49.28 seconds. She was clear of 2nd, Dee Dee Trotter, by 7/10th of a second, and 3rd, Francena McCorory, by another 4/10th. Obviously no surprise. Bummer for Natasha Hastings, who runs for Under Armour. Guess they'll just have to keep making really good running shoes #stuffnobodysays.

1 Sanya Richards-Ross Nike 49.28
2 Dee Dee Trotter Saucony 50.02
3 Francena McCorory adidas 50.43
4 Debbie Dunn Nike 50.78
5 Diamond Dixon Kansas 50.88
6 Keshia Baker Saucony 51.23
7 Natasha Hastings Under Armour 51.28
8 Jessica Beard adidas 51.52

Men's Long Jump: Top 2 Jump Barely Farther Than Ashton Eaton Did

Marquis Goodman and Will Claye were the only two long jumpers to go farther than the jump of decathlete, Ashton Eaton. Goodman jumped 27'4" and Claye's best jump was 27'0". Probably worth nothing that they had a big tailwind. Third went to George Kitchens, Jr., with a jump of 26'11.75". Our buddy, Christian Taylor, finished just out of the money in 4th. His best jump wouldn't have made the A standard anyway. Cheer up, Christian - you have the triple jump to look forward to!

Women's Pole Vault: Expected Results

1 Jennifer Suhr adidas 15-1
2 Becky Holliday Unattached 14-11
3 Lacy Janson Nike 14-9

I don't think there was too much question about those results.